Fisker: Leonardo DiCaprio's Prius inspired the Karma
Ever wonder what it is that sparks the mind of an entrepreneur? After all, lots of people have big imaginations and great ideas, but only a relatively small number of them actually follow through, create a company and design a product. Of course, we can add Henrik Fisker to that list of entrepreneurs, and we're definitely looking forward to seeing what else springs from his fertile mind.
So, back to the original question. In the case of Henrik Fisker, the inspiration for the Karma extended-range electric car came from none other than Leonardo DiCaprio. Actually, the actor's Prius hybrid, to be specific. Says Fisker:
Interesting little tidbit, no?A couple of years ago it started, by people who were maybe a little ahead of their time. You saw some movie starts like Leonardo DiCaprio buying a Prius... He could have bought any car in the world, and I remember seeing that on television and thinking to myself, you know, when you've got a guy who could buy any Ferrari or Rolls Royce and he's buying a Prius, you know something is changing dramatically.
[Source: Reuters | Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Joeviocoe 6:37PM (11/08/2009)
Another misleading title Autobloggreen!
Was it Leonardo DiCaprio's Prius that inspired the Karma?
No, it was Leonardo DiCaprio who inspired Fisker Automotive.
The way the title is written tries to play on our sensitivity to copyright infringement, lawsuits, Tesla, and general design stealing drama. Poor taste and poor journalism. Sensationalism!
It didn't matter which "Hybrid" DiCaprio bought, Fisker would have gotten the same inspiration. It was the status of the man, not the design of the car. And Fisker was inspired to build PHEVs, but it did not specifically have to be the Karma.
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Rick 7:06PM (11/08/2009)
When I first read the title, it made me think that DeCaprio took a Prius and had the body redesigned into something sporty. Now that would be more interesting.
Snoopy 7:13PM (11/08/2009)
Got to, slightly, agree with Joe, though it's not as misleading as it is simply incorrect. Take out the word Prius and the possessive "apostrophe s" and it would be correct. I'd say it's more of a misreading of the original quote that led to this than any kind of intention.
smartacus 6:50PM (11/08/2009)
When you've got a guy who could buy any Fisker or Tesla and he's buying a Prius, you know something is changing dramatically.
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90210 3:00AM (11/09/2009)
He probably has a Tesla. A lot of hollywood does.
Chris M 2:53AM (11/09/2009)
Leonardo Di Caprio bought his Prius in 2004, before either Tesla or Fiskar announced their plans, let alone were available for sale.
Of course, when Fiskar realized there was a potentially profitable market for high end green cars, he started working on his plan for the Karma.
smartacus 12:53PM (11/09/2009)
Thank you for taking the bait: So he bought his Prius back in 04? Thanks for proving my point beyond a doubt :) Market for ostentatious yet understated excess in Hollywood auto market is going out of style faster than Ron Howards Hummer H1.
If he's still driving a 5 year old car...then to requote Fisker " you know something is changing dramatically"
Rick 7:02PM (11/08/2009)
All the movie stars bought a Prius. It was the easiest thing to do to get green cred.
Movie stars are by definition posers, fakers and hypocrites (the original greek word from which "hypocrite" is derived means "actor")
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Red 7:49PM (11/08/2009)
With respect to DiCaprio, he's been very active with this whole ordeal for quite some time. To imply he's a "poser" or a "fake" or a "hypocrite" because he's a movie star is blatantly "ignorant..."
Rick 7:54PM (11/08/2009)
I'd be very surprised if he doesn't live a life of exquisite luxury. That's what movie stars do. I'd be surprised if he doesn't jet set around the world and have a carbon footprint of roughly 1000 times the ordinary man in the street. Maybe I'm wrong, but it's the usual thing with these pseudo-green superstars.
Rick 8:08PM (11/08/2009)
When you board your private jet - pull your cap down real low
http://x17online.com/celebrities/leonardo_dicaprio/x17_xclusive_save_the_planet_fly_private-11032008.php
anybody who flies in a private jet and then lectures about saving the planet qualifies as a gold star hypocrite
Mel 10:49PM (11/08/2009)
Jealous Rick? Taking cheap shots at hollywood? It should be pretty obvious that it is practically impossible for a superstar of his fame to use any kind of public transportation. He could also go about his life of luxury without giving a damn about the environment. He's famous for being cute and not green after all. Jet still he tries to inspire people to be more aware of the environment, and in Fiskers case successfully so! In my humble opinion certainly more valuable a contribution than posting stupid negativity on blogs like this.
Rick 12:50AM (11/09/2009)
wrong Mel , wrong wrong wrong.
It's all fake. Poor boy is famous so he has to pollute and yet even now he's trying to increase his useless fame by making more movies and then - what a shame, he'll have to pollute more.
Nuts is nuts - pollution is pollution - fake is fake.
He's part of the problem Mel (if there is a problem) and if there isn't really a problem, then he just another Hollywood pretty boy saying "look at me"
Hollywood is bad Mel - it's just bad.
GoodCheer 9:45AM (11/09/2009)
"That's what movie stars do."
"Hollywood is bad Mel - it's just bad."
I'm glad I can come to ABG for such refined and considered opinions that in no way at all condemn people based on their professions or where they live.
Rick 12:16PM (11/09/2009)
Okay - here's a green premise for you hollywood idol worshipers. It's time to get real and get consistent.
Western lifestyle is unsustainable as it is. Even more unthinkable is spreading that lifestyle around to the 7 Billion on the planet today. Hollyweird is the principal advertiser to the world of the western lifestyle of opulent jet setting luxury. Me first and me best is the message. And no, the hardly watched 11th hour thing doesn't absolve anyone of their sins.
Green is what this site is supposed to be all about - green means sustainable - green and hollywood are mortal enemies.
Pick a side, you planet destroying, pretty boy worshipers!
- or maybe I'm completely out to lunch on this stuff. I don't mind being proven wrong, but I believe I'm 110% right on this whole concept.
FitFan 1:33PM (11/09/2009)
Rick,
Please take your meds before posting.
Rick 1:51PM (11/09/2009)
okay - you convinced me fitfan. I'm going out now to get a hummer with an "Earth FIrst" sticker on it, then I must book my next 5 flights to wherever the next 5 international film festivals are because we must support the message of a new green future ... or maybe it's better if I take the private jet instead - wouldn't want to lose luggage and perhaps just to save the planet that much more, I'll refurnish my fabulous homes in Manhattan, California and Europe in some new minimalist low carbon furniture.
Oh yes - and don't forget to do your part too! we must save this planet before it's too late!
Buy a Prius today!
Mel 8:53PM (11/09/2009)
@Rick
dude - you come off like a don Quixote! I hope you're not watching any movies, otherwise you are the hypocrite. And don't tell me about foreign films and stuff, by your logic they all come from a "sinful" place. You might also consider relocating from Canada. A lot of the "Hollywood" movies are made there these days.
skierpage 6:17AM (11/09/2009)
Car companies continue to screw up making and marketing environmental cars. If you pay more for a luxury car, it pollutes more than a $23,000 Prius, and as you move up every full-range car company's line of cars, pollution goes up. I hope Fisker and Tesla find a lot of customers thinking differently.
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Mark Kiernan 6:27AM (11/09/2009)
Rick to me sounds like one of those who watches Glenn Beck 24/7.
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